Tyler’s Waterloo…As 39 Lawmakers Demand His Recusal

The Capitol Building on Capitol Hill witnessed heated exchanges between pro and anti Tyler fanatics as the Speaker of the 53rd Legislature was bundled away in disdain whilst his opponents read a statement requesting that he recuses himself from presiding over plenary.

In their quest to unseat House Speaker Alex Tyler, members of the anti-Tyler bloc at the House of Representatives on Tuesday advanced an eight-count resolution calling for the Speaker’s removal.Speaker Tyler has, in recent times, come under pressure from members of the anti-Tyler bloc, for being named along with other senior officials of government in a recent report released by Global Witness alleging they received bribe to alter portion of the country's concession law.The first count of the resolution which was read by the group's secretary, Munah Pelham-Youngblood, stressed that Tyler has lost legitimacy and popular consent to preside over the House of Representatives.The resolution stated that rather than hiding under the authority of the Speaker's gavel, Tyler should exonerate himself of the criminal charges for which he has been indicted by recusing himself from presiding over the body and utilize the due process being offered through the court system.The anti-Tyler lawmakers in the resolution also accused the Speaker of attempting to thwart justice, as he has embarked on series of actions with the intent of dividing the House, something they termed as undermining the unity and cohesiveness of the Legislature.The resolution also accused Tyler of denigrating his colleagues by refusing to listen to their concerns and terming them as "surrogates," especially when they attempt to speak about intolerance and undemocratic tendencies being practiced by him.The resolution was signed by a total of 39 lawmakers, leaving an impression that the effort to unseat Speaker Tyler at the House of Representatives is deepening and gradually gaining ground.Some of the anti-Tyler lawmakers who signed the resolution include Grand Kru County Representative Numene Bartekwah, Chairman; Rep. Edwin Snowe, Rep. George Mulbah, Rep. Acarous Gray; Rep. Edward Forh and Rep. Josephine Francis.